Varun Chakravarthy has ascended to the No.1 spot in the ICC Men's T20I Bowler Rankings, becoming only the third Indian to achieve this coveted position, following in the footsteps of pace maestro Jasprit Bumrah and leg-spin sensation Ravi Bishnoi. The 34-year-old mystery spinner’s remarkable climb, up three spots, was fueled by his stellar performances in the Asia Cup, where he delivered a tight 1/4 against the UAE and a disciplined 1/24 against Pakistan, showcasing his ability to outfox batsmen with his enigmatic variations.
Chakravarthy, who previously peaked at second place in February 2025, has now displaced New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy, who held the top rank since March. The ICC hailed his rise, stating, “India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been rewarded for his consistent form in 2025 by becoming the No.1 ranked bowler on the latest ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings.” His ascent underscores India’s growing dominance in spin bowling, a critical asset in the fast-paced T20 format.
India’s bowling contingent shone brightly in the rankings update. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav made a dramatic leap, soaring 16 places to 23rd with his deceptive wrist-spin, while spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel nudged up one spot to 12th, cementing his reputation as a versatile performer. Jasprit Bumrah, despite limited T20I appearances this year, climbed four spots to 40th, reaffirming his enduring brilliance across formats.
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In the all-rounders’ rankings, Hardik Pandya remains untouchable at No.1, his explosive batting and clutch bowling making him a cornerstone of India’s T20 setup. Young star Abhishek Sharma, known for his dynamic all-round contributions, surged four places to 14th, signaling his growing influence.
The batting rankings saw Abhishek Sharma further solidify his dominance at No.1, reaching a career-high 884 rating points. His blistering knocks of 30 off 16 balls against UAE and 31 off 13 against Pakistan highlighted his fearless approach as an opener. His partner, Shubman Gill, advanced four spots to 39th, hinting at a formidable opening duo for India. However, the rankings weren’t kind to all: Tilak Varma slipped two places to fourth, captain Suryakumar Yadav dropped one to seventh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, absent from the Asia Cup squad, fell two spots to 13th, facing pressure to regain his form.
Globally, England’s openers made waves. Phil Salt’s explosive 141 not out off 60 balls—the highest score and fastest T20I century by an Englishman—in the second T20I against South Africa in Manchester propelled him to second, closing in on his career-best No.1 rank. Jos Buttler, with a scintillating 83 off 30, climbed to third, achieving a career-high 794 rating points and marking his first foray into the top three.
As the T20I landscape heats up with the Asia Cup and looming World Cup, Chakravarthy’s rise to the top is a game-changer for India. His ability to stifle runs and take wickets under pressure positions him as a linchpin in India’s spin-heavy strategy. From his IPL exploits to international stardom, Chakravarthy’s journey is a testament to perseverance, making him a role model for aspiring spinners and a key weapon in India’s quest for T20 supremacy.
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